After the Thin Man movie binge

One weekend while sick, I binge watched the "Thin Man" series of movies. I hoped the clever writing and snappy characters would inspire some of my writing. I had Dear Pen Pal outlined at the time and I had other ideas.

I’m writing about those books in this blog, but for now I’ll continue with my Thin Man series.

After the Thin Man was released in 1936 and was just as successful as the original Thin Man movie. William Powell and Myrna Loy are back. This time, there is a young Jimmy Stewart in one of his first roles. Joseph Calleia looks like one of those guys who played smarmy villains in other old movies. I went to IMDB and didn't recognize his work, but still, he had this small mustache and beady eyes. Elissa Landl is Selma.

One of the few sequels that start right after the last movie ends. Nick and Nora Charles are still on the train and it’s almost New Year’s Eve. Nora is packing her clothes and Nick is packing his alcohol. Yay to the end of prohibition!

They get an invitation to Nora’s family holiday dinner. Nick, not being from an upper crust rich family, automatically feels uncomfortable. We find out that Nora’s cousin Selma has a husband that is not at the dinner. He actually is cheating and lying to Selma and not he’s missing. He turns up dead a few hours later.

Asia, the dog, has a few scenes to steal as well.

This movie is fun to watch. Yes there is the murder mystery, but how the clues are assembled and where it takes the characters is something to watch. The police are a step behind Nick in solving the case. There a scenes in nightclubs, gangster hangouts, and dark empty buildings.

Nick and Nora still flirt and tease each other. When Nora finds out that Nick had an old girlfriend named Bella Spruce, she takes that name when she goes undercover just to jab it at Nick.

Watch the dancer at the club. At first it looks likes the floor is spinning, but no it’s the movement of the dancers. Amazing.

Back in the 1930s they had the Hays Code. (Long story and actually Joseph Breen was the man that had the job as big censor.) Sex and flirting had to be done in discreet ways or in looks and lighting. Here’s a fun quote:

Nick: I mean did I ever tell you that you’re the most fascinating woman this side of the Rockies?

Nora: Wait till you see me on the other side!

Remember how the last movie had this scene where Asta is tossed to another bed and the camera cuts away. That is how they showed married couples together. Not sure if they did anything, well the final scenes of this movie will tell you.

Because the writers were so good at turning a phrase they were nominated for the 1937 Oscar for Best Writing-Screenplay.

Big recommend.

This is the dance scene I mentioned earlier.